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A Lucky Backfield "Fortune"

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 07/16/14, 3:15PM PDT

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Dillon Fortune is looking for a breakout year

When you enter the third year of your career, you’re expected to contribute, lead and know your job.  The same applies to the gridiron and the Sun are expecting to see big things from Dillon Fortune in 2014.

Born in Montreal, raised in Brooklyn New York, Fortune was the featured back for the first part of last season as Alex Bradley recovered from an injury.  Fortune was solid, finishing the year with 74 carries for 438 yards and three touchdowns.

“My expectations are really high because right now, we’re looking good, our protection schemes are looking tight,” says Fortune.

“He’s got a different attitude,” says Offensive Coordinator Tony Lindsay. “He seems to be quicker, a little more focused.  We already know he’s athletic, so if you apply some focus and some drive, he’ll do well for us.”

New running backs Coach Jason Farnsworth says “He’s picking up the offense really well, he’s improved a lot since last year, he’s definitely been putting some time in training.  You can see he’s really wanting to fight a lot harder when he is running the ball.  In drills that we do in practice he’s just moving at a much faster pace than he was last year and really trying to push for that starting spot.

The 1-2 punch of Bradley and Fortune will cause fits for opposing defenses this year.  The success of the run game will open up the passing game for third year quarterback Cam Bedore.  

“I think with backfield that we have, with Bradley and Fortune, they both add different abilities,” says Farnsworth.  “They’re both very quick, great search backs, and they also have the speed to get the outside edge.  Then you tandem that with some of the fullbacks we’re looking at using, with a lead blocker it makes them even more dangerous.”

In his rookie season Bedore (2012) was smacked around way too often.  Improvements to the offensive line helped last year and they will be even better this season.  However when there is a breakdown, it’ll be up to the running backs and their blocking ability and assignments.  Now in his third year it’s something Fortune is taking pride in.

“You have to, right.  Football is all about blocking, you have to block for the next player to run far, that’s just what you have to do.  If you don’t block, you don’t play that’s how I was taught.”

“Dillon is a great blocker,” says Farnsworth.  “When he gets out into the open field is when you really see where he can shine.  He knows how to target really well, and move his body into the right position.  So yeah he’s a really good blocker, when he gets out there, even when he’s inside.  We use him as a fullback as well just because of that.”

Fortune and the Sun open the 2014 season on Saturday July 26 in Chilliwack.  It’s Fortune’s first chance to show that he and Bradley are on track to be the next feared 1-2 punch in Sun history.

Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

Story courtesy of Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters)